#drumsandpercussion

By: Kristin Thompson

When it comes to being a productive member of any ensemble, the best thing you can do to show your professionalism is comporting yourself like one. Act professionally and you will be treated as such!

The easiest way to do this? Two words: BE PREPARED! If you think about it, when everyone shows up to rehearsal ready to go, the music-making process is infinitely more satisfying, productive, and nuanced. For me, this is why I became a performer and my most memorable experiences have been with colleagues who respected everyone’s time by being prepared for rehearsals and ultimately performances.

Want to make your 2019 rehearsals your best to date? Check out these suggestions:

Prior to the first rehearsal, take time to look over your part and work through any tricky sections. Mark instrument or tempo changes, listen to recordings, and learn all of your solos.

On the day of rehearsal, make sure you have everything you need before leaving home. Music? Pencil? Reed container? Instrument stand? Water bottle? I always make a list the night before and pack as much as possible well in advance of leaving. This makes the hours leading up to a rehearsal much less stressful and puts me in a mental place to rehearse well.

Plan your arrival time well in advance of when rehearsal starts. One piece of advice that has stuck with me since high school is “To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late.” Arriving early gives you the piece of mind to set up and get situated, find your best reed (or reeds if you’re doubling), and do some warming up.

If you have rehearsal at the end of a long day, anticipate this by packing dinner or snacks to eat en route or once you arrive. This is a must-have for me; rehearsing “on empty” usually makes me grumpy and distracted.

Do take time to get to know your colleagues! Networking is important as a musician, but beyond that, making music with friendly faces is so much more joyful than with strangers. Of course, save long conversations for breaks and pre/post rehearsal. Similarly, take a moment to introduce yourself to the conductor and personnel manager if this is your first time with this group.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for clarification as needed during rehearsal. This is especially true of the first rehearsal- there may be errors in your part that need to be fixed or intricacy between parts that warrants another run. Check quietly with stand partners or those around you if you have questions- often this leads to answers! If you found errors or have interpretation questions from your practicing, touch base with the music director prior to rehearsal or during a break.